High Speed Satellite Internet

For most consumers, using a satellite Internet service is only an option when high speed DSL or cable Internet is not available. Simply put, satellite Internet has several limitations that make it unappealing when compared to standard broadband connections. It is is one of the most expensive methods for high speed Internet access, it has inherent high latency issues, and it involves equipment that consumers cannot setup on their own. With around 70% of U.S. residences being covered by either DSL or Cable, satellite Internet service is generally only used by people living in rural portions of the country.

The main appeal of satellite Internet service is that it gives consumers living outside the range of DSL and cable providers at least some form of high speed Internet access where normally none would exist. Satellite Internet service is available in virtually every location across the contiguous 48 United States. As long as your residence has a clear view of the southern sky, you can probably get satellite Internet access. Unfortunately, Alaska and Hawaii are not covered by the satellite systems, or just not covered very well, so signing up for high speed satellite in those areas is not possible.

The focus of this section of Velocity Guide is on satellite Internet access for the home only, although most satellite providers also have business plans.

Satellite Internet Versus DSL / Cable

A quick glance at satellite pricing is enough to turn most consumers away from this type of service. It is rare to find a satellite ISP that costs under $300 just for the initial equipment and installation. More often than not, these items will cost $500 to $600 or more. Add to that the fact that satellite Internet is only about as fast as a standard DSL connection and it should become obvious that this type of service is usually only picked out of necessity.

For further reading on this topic, our article, "Broadband Cable vs Satellite Internet", details the specific reasons why cable Internet (or DSL for that matter) should be your first choice for residential high speed Internet access.

What To Expect From Satellite Internet Service

With dial-up Internet service, basically all that is needed to connect is an active phone line, a computer with modem, and an account with a dial-up ISP. Customers install the software themselves, pay month-to-month, and away they go. It's a simple service, but quite slow. When you sign up for satellite Internet access, the experience will be very different:

Faster Speeds - Download speeds will typically range from 512 Kbps to 1.5 Mbps and upload speeds from 128 Kbps to 256 Kbps, which is much faster than 56 Kbps dial up.
Constant Connection - Satellite Internet is a service that is "always on", just like cable or DSL. No phone line, software, or logging on and off is required.
Email & Webspace - Like any other type of ISP, satellite Internet services will provide you with multiple email accounts and space for a personal website.
Long-Term Contracts - Customers will usually be required to sign a long-term service contract of 12 to 15 months or more, with termination fees if you cancel early.
Equipment Fees - You will have to buy or lease special equipment, typically a small dish that will need to be mounted on a roof, wall or via pole mount in the ground, plus a low-cost, small satellite modem that connects directly to your PC.
Installation Fees - Professional installation for satellite Internet service is actually an FCC requirement, but the installation fees might be waived by some providers.

For a complete overview of satellite Internet performance, pricing, and availability, read our full "Satellite Internet Comparison." Satellite providers will vary in the exact features of their service offerings, but in general, you can expect everything listed above when you sign up with a satellite ISP. For consumers that have never used this type of service before, we suggest reading our article on "Choosing A Satellite Internet Provider."

Although satellite might seem to be a poor choice for high speed Internet, the fact is that it is as good of a service as DSL or cable for basic Internet needs, such as accessing email, browsing the web, and downloading files. And just like DSL, cable, and dial up, the service you get is only as good as the provider you choose. For Americans that live in a rural part of the country and have a serious need for a faster Internet connection, satellite is a good broadband service to have, if you can afford it.

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